How To Handle Car Accidents Involving Multiple Vehicles in Nashville
Our lawyers are experienced in these complicated car accident cases
A car accident involving multiple vehicles can instantly turn a routine commute into a stressful and overwhelming situation. Nashville’s busy highways and crowded city streets are prime spots for these kinds of crashes.
Whether it’s a chain-reaction collision during rush hour or a pile-up on a rain-soaked road, knowing how to handle the situation can make a big difference in protecting your health, finances, and rights.
How is fault determined in a multi-vehicle accident?
Determining who’s responsible for a crash involving multiple vehicles can be complicated. The state of Tennessee follows a comparative fault system, meaning that each driver can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions leading up to a car accident.
If multiple drivers are responsible, fault is divided accordingly. If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation, though the amount may be reduced based on your level of responsibility.
What are the common causes of car accidents involving multiple vehicles?
Nashville’s unique combination of congested urban, heavy traffic, and varying weather conditions make it susceptible to multi-vehicle accidents. One of the most common scenarios involves chain-reaction collisions on highways such as I-24 or I-40.
During rush hour, a single rear-end collision can quickly escalate as the momentum of traffic pushes multiple cars into one another.
Weather also plays a significant role. Rain, fog, and occasional ice create hazardous conditions on the road. When visibility is low or roads are slick, collisions involving multiple vehicles can happen quickly.
Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving contribute to the frequency of these collisions, especially when drivers are slow to react to rapidly changing traffic patterns.
How do insurance claims work after a multi-vehicle accident?
After a crash involving multiple vehicles, you might find yourself dealing with more than one insurance company. In Tennessee, you’ll file a claim with your own insurance company and, if applicable, against the insurance of any at-fault drivers. The insurance companies will then negotiate who is responsible for paying what.
However, when multiple vehicles are involved, assigning blame becomes more complicated. Each insurance company will investigate, and they may not agree on who’s at fault.
That’s why it’s important to speak to a skilled Nashville car accident lawyer and keep detailed records such as photos, police reports, and medical bills to help support your claim. If disputes arise between insurance companies about liability, an attorney can present evidence that establishes fault.
What should I do if I’m injured in a multi-vehicle accident?
Medical bills, lost wages, and other crash-related expenses can pile up quickly. Filing a personal injury claim can help you recover these costs, along with compensation for pain and suffering.
Keep track of every medical appointment, diagnosis, and treatment, as this documentation will be valuable evidence in your claim.
What are the key steps to take after a multi-vehicle accident?
Step 1: Focus on safety
The moments immediately following a multi-vehicle accident are critical for your safety and a smooth resolution. First and foremost, check for injuries – both your own and others’. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 immediately.
If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent additional collisions or blockages. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Staying in your vehicle may feel safer, but unless it’s unsafe to move.
Step 2: Call the police
You should also call the police right away and wait for an officer to arrive at the scene. Law enforcement officers usually arrive on the scene to investigate. They’ll examine vehicle damage, road conditions, and witness statements. They’ll also take photos and gather contact information from other drivers.
Step 3: Gather information from this crash scene
While waiting for the police, exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved. Also, take pictures of the crash scene and capture vehicle damage, visible injuries, nearby signs and signals, tire marks in the road, and weather or road conditions. Also, be sure to get witness statements and contact information.
Avoid discussing fault with other drivers at the scene. While you’ll need to exchange information, don’t apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. It’s natural to feel shaken after an accident, but keeping your communication limited to the facts will help protect you later.
Step 4: Get medical attention immediately
Injuries from collisions involving multiple vehicles can range from mild to severe. Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately, adrenaline can mask pain, and your injuries may appear hours or days later.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you believe you’re unharmed. This not only ensures your well-being but also creates a medical record that can support your case.
Step 5: Contact your insurance provider
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the details, including photos of the scene, witness information, and the police report number. Avoid discussing fault or blame, as this can potentially be used against you.
Step 6: Gather all crash-related documents
Next, keep detailed records of everything related to the accident. This includes repair estimates, medical bills, lost wages, and communication with insurance companies. Having thorough documentation will make it easier to file a claim and ensure you’re fairly compensated.
Step 7: Follow all medical and legal advice
Insurance companies will use any tactic in the book to reduce or deny your compensation. That includes contacting you and asking trick questions in hopes that you’ll provide a recorded statement. Once you provide a statement, there’s no taking it back, and it can be misconstrued as admitting fault.
Additionally, insurance companies may be monitoring your physical activity and even watching your social media accounts. Be sure to avoid any activities that can disprove your injury, and never post about your car accident or any physical activities on social media.
Your best bet is to speak to an experienced Nashville car accident attorney, follow all advice, and let your attorney handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies. That way you can focus on healing from your injuries.
Contact our Nashville law firm today and learn how to get the compensation you deserve
If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving multiple vehicles, The Law Office of Eric Beasley is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. With over 20 years of experience, attorney Eric Beasley knows how to handle multi-vehicle crashes, head-on collisions, and car accidents involving distracted or drunk drivers.
We’ve secured major case results for our clients, such as:
- A $3.5 million post-verdict wrongful death settlement for a crash involving a construction vehicle.
- A $1.25 million settlement for a head-on collision.
- $850,000 in a fatal drunk driving accident.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering, let us take the stress off your shoulders and focus on getting you the maximum compensation possible. Contact us online or call our Nashville law office today to schedule a free consultation.
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